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Students, first lady decorate Statehouse Christmas trees

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By Adrianna Pitrelli
TheStatehouseFile.com

INDIANAPOLIS —’Twas three weeks before Christmas when students sat on the floor, ready to fill the Statehouse with Christmas decor. They listened to the first lady, her friends and First Dog Henry, while patiently hoping Santa would come down a chimney.

“We have gathered here at the Statehouse for our annual decorating party,” First Lady Janet Holcomb told students gathered in the rotunda Monday morning. “It’s a tradition here at the Statehouse that has been carried on for many years.”

The children sat ready to listen as Holcomb read them “’Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

A performance of “Jingle Bells” and “O, come All Ye Faithful” by Pike High School’s choir was a show stopper. Pike High School is Gov. Eric Holcomb’s alma mater.

Henry was at Monday’s Hoosier Holiday event wearing a red Christmas collar. Despite the attention he received from the crowd, he never made a holler.

About 250 students from around the state made ornaments for the trees. As part of the festivities, each student put an ornament on the tree.

“These ornaments look great — good job,” Holcomb said to the children as they helped decorate three of the 11 Statehouse trees donated as part of the Indiana Christmas Tree Growers Association annual project. “Merry Christmas. Thank you for the help.”

Holding an ornament made of applesauce and cinnamon, one student said in a loud voice, “I can’t wait to hang this up on this big, fancy tree.”

The beautiful, tall green Christmas trees fill the atrium for the 58th consecutive year. For Indiana’s first lady, decorating them brought a lot of holiday cheer.

“It’s a great way to kick off the holiday season at the Statehouse,” Holcomb said. “And we are glad everyone is here to be able to participate in the event and join us today.

Adrianna Pitrelli is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

IS IT TRUE DECEMBER 5, 2017

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We hope that todays “IS IT TRUE” will provoke “honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way”?

IS IT TRUE that the official “Swim Meet Time Clock” located at the Northside Lloyd Pool has been broken for over a year? …this situation needs to be corrected right away?

IS IT TRUE earlier this year ECHO Housing officials announced plans to turn a vacant warehouse at 101 N. Garvin St. into 27 one-bedroom units of housing for the chronically homeless?  …once completed this project is estimated to cost $6.1 million? …earlier this year the ECHO Housing Executive Director said “that her organization will commission a “Mural” to be painted on the side of this apartment building? …it’s our opinion that putting a painted “Mural” on the side of apartment building for the homeless is a total waste of our hard earned tax dollars?

IS IT TRUE a couple years ago officials at ECHO Housing and Evansville DMD commissioned a “Mural” to be painted on the side of a building located directly behind McDonalds restaurant on the corner of North Main and the Lloyd Expressway?  … the officials responsible for this project declared that this “Mural” will enhance the opportunity of bringing economic development to the North Main Jacobsville area? …we were told that an out of town artist was hired to help paint this abstract “Mural” costing many of thousands of dollars? …we urge you to drive to the North Main McDonalds and look at the vacant building directly behind it and tell us if this painted “Mural” would motivate you to locate a business on North Main Street?

IS IT TRUE that unbeknownst to the powers that be, who were so busy celebrating a $18 Million bike lane and a much too narrow roadway the only grocery store in Jacobsville has announced that it is closing?…this sort of creates a food desert right in the middle of a politician proclaimed up and coming neighborhood?…among other reasons given by the Buehler’s IGA for closing the doors was the high levels of theft that were occurring at the store?…this is the same kind of criminality that supposedly killed the Wesselmans, the Sunshine Market, and another market at the same location over by the old Lincoln School?…a grocery store is a vital part of any redevelopment effort and this loss is a serious loss for many reasons?…it also sets the stage for more degradation and for less possible gentrification?…whether one likes it or not, gentrification is the source of money to sustain a retail business including a grocery store and more importantly a population that does not feel so entitled to the inventory on the shelf that they will steal it on a daily basis?…once again for those who didn’t learn last time, if you want to clean up places like Jimtown and Jacobsville, the first step is to get rid of the Jims and Jacobs who rob and pillage everything that is put there? …good paying jobs, reliable public transportation,  affordable and livable housing, good schools, affordable daycare services, a quality grocery store and accessible and affordable healthcare would go a long way in helping people in that area?

IS IT TRUE that we noticed that the McCurdy is still $750,000 in arears for 6 months of water bills to the City of Evansville for having installed an open loop geothermal system?…that amounts to roughly $1,500 per month per apartment just for the water bill?…like it or not this level of charge is the death knell of the business model that led to the refurbishment of the historic building?…in 2008 the City of Evansville killed a business model for an old folks home to placate the insatiable desire of the past Mayor for feel good pictures and grandiose claims?…in 2017 after the project was completed by another developer the City of Evansville has killed another business model?…we understand that the open loop system is what created the bill, but that is clean water and there needs to be some solution?…if there is no solution then the date with the wrecking ball is once again just a matter of time?

IS IT TRUE that last Friday Brian Ross of ABC News reported incorrectly that a guilty plea for lying to the FBI about a meeting that was held after the election was going to result in a sworn finger being pointed at President Trump for colluding with Russians to steal the election?…now the story has been recanted, clarified, and disavowed, the reporter has been suspended for lying and the stock market dropped 350 points over a lie told in a “we interrupt this broadcast for important news” manner?…Brian Ross is just a new reader who doesn’t have the authority to interrupt anything?…like it or not, this was fake news and it plays right into President Trump’s claim that the media is lying through their teeth to undermine his administration?…last Friday that is exactly what happened?…we wonder what kind of a price ABC will pay for this terrible miscarriage of journalism?

IS IT TRUE we are hearing that well known Democrats Ed Bassemier, Amy Word-Smith, Kristen Burckhartt are considering a run for the Evansville City Council At-Large seats in the next city election? …we are told that Alex Burton will not be a candidate for the 4th Ward City Council seat?  …if current City Council member Jonathan Weaver doesn’t run for Mayor, we predict that he will run for re-election for At-Large City Council seat?

IS IT TRUE we also wonder when construction will begin on the old downtown YMCA annex building?  … this building has been vacant of at least 30  plus years?  …a couple of years ago we read in the local newspaper that developers were going to turn this former 5th Street YMCA annex building into housing for the homeless? …we hope that this proposed housing project doesn’t turnout to be another downtown “Pie In The Sky” venture that can’t get bank financing?

IS IT TRUE that Mayor Winnecke re-election political war chest has a whooping $400,000 in it?

IS IT TRUE hear that several individuals living in this area want to become the next CEO of the Greater Area Chamber of Commerce ?  …all we heard from the Chamber folks doing the last several years is buy local?  …if the Chamber want people to buy local they should hire local?  …we consider local folks to be extremely qualified and talented and should be considered as serious contenders for the vacant Greater Area Chamber of Commerce CEO position?

Todays “Readers Poll” question is: Do you feel that our tax dollars should be spent on putting painted abstract Murals on side of buildings?

Please take time and read our articles entitled “STATEHOUSE Files, CHANNEL 44 NEWS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, READERS POLL, BIRTHDAYS, HOT JOBS” and “LOCAL SPORTS”.  You now are able to subscribe to get the CCO daily.

If you would like to advertise in the CCO please contact us City-County Observer@live.com.

EDITOR’S FOOTNOTE:  Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City County Observer or our advertisers

 

VA Failed to Report 90 Percent of Poor-Performing Doctors

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Stars and Stripes | 05 Dec 2017 | by Nikki Wentling
WASHINGTON –– The Department of Veterans Affairs fails to report 90 percent of poor-performing doctors to national and state databases intended to alert other hospitals of misconduct, according to findings released Monday by the Government Accountability Office.

The government watchdog found VA officials were slow to investigate when concerns were raised about the performance of certain doctors. Further, in eight out of nine cases, the VA failed to report doctors who didn’t meet health care standards.

“Until [the Veterans Health Administration] strengthens its oversight of these processes, veterans may be at increased risk of receiving unsafe care through the VA health care system,” the GAO concluded.

The findings were based on reviews of 148 instances of complaints against VA medical providers at five hospitals from 2013 to 2017. The concerns ranged from unsafe or inconsistent practices to doctors incorrectly recording patient visits.

The VA failed to document about half of those cases, the GAO found. For 16 doctors, the VA waited multiple months or years to initiate reviews of complaints.

During that time, nine doctors were disciplined by the VA for possible professional incompetence or misconduct, or they resigned to avoid disciplinary action. But the VA didn’t report any of them to state licensing boards, and only one was reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank. Those databases are designed to inform other health care facilities about doctors’ past performance.

In one instance, a doctor who resigned from the VA while under investigation was not reported, and later hired to another, non-VA hospital in the same city. Two years later, that hospital disciplined the doctor for the same conduct that prompted the VA investigation, the GAO reported.

The GAO is recommending the VA improve oversight of how concerns raised about doctors are reviewed and documented. In response to the watchdog report, VA Deputy Chief of Staff Gina Farrisee wrote the agency agreed with the recommendations and would comply with them by October 2018.

“Without documentation and timely reviews of providers’ clinical care, [VA] officials may lack information needed to reasonably ensure that providers are competent to provide safe, high quality care to veterans,” the GAO report reads.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has recently received complaints from whistleblowers that seem to back up the GAO findings of VA leadership failing to address concerns about doctors, inspectors wrote.

A subcommittee of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is planning to meet Wednesday morning to discuss the report publicly.

Read the full report here.

YESTERYEAR BY PAT SIDES: White Swan Laundry

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White Swan Laundry

In December 1937, White Swan Laundry hired Santa to tout its delivery service as “a Christmas gift for her.” At four cents per pound of laundry, the weekly service was a time-saving bargain for busy housewives throughout the year. The company, located at NW Second and Ingle streets, was founded in 1893, one of the first professional steam laundries to open in Evansville. White Swan soon boasted over 100 employees and 17 motor routes, eventually expanding its services to customers in Henderson, Kentucky. The laundry was sold in 1980, and the building was razed in 1996. At the bottom of the picture, the shadow of photographer Edgar W. Newman can be seen; his series of Santa shots, taken at different venues in the city, appeared in the Evansville Press that December.

Vanderburgh County Council Agenda For December 6, 2017

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AGENDA VANDERBURGH COUNTY COUNCIL

DECEMBER 6, 2017 3:30 P.M.
ROOM 301

  1. OPENING OF MEETING
  2. ATTENDANCE ROLL CALL
  3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
  4. INVOCATION
  5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – November 1, 2017
  6. PERSONNEL REQUESTS:
    1. (A)  SUPERIORCOURT/RequesttofillvacanciesforRidingBailiffandRidingBailiff/CourtReporter
    2. (B)  CLERK/Request to fill vacancies for MT Court Warrant Clerk and MT Subpoena Summons Clerk
    3. (C)  PUBLIC DEFENDER/Request to fill vacancy for Public Defender part-time and supplemental pay for Public Defender from Public Defender Supplemental fund
    4. (D)  HEALTH DEPARTMENT/Request to change 3 job titles to Bookkeeping Clerk & classifications to COMOT VI, fill vacancies for Administrative Aide part-time, 2 Public Health Nurses, WIC/part-time Breast Feeding Coordinator, Immunization Grant/Administrative Aide part-time, Safety Pin Grant/create and fill positions for 6 Community Health Workers, Nurse Manager, License Clinical Social Worker, Data Coordinator, Health Educator, and Growing Great Kids Bookkeeper/Aide and increase salary and change job title from Public Health Nurse to Project Director
  1. APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE: (A) COMMISSIONERS
  2. REPEAL: (A)
  3. TRANSFERS:
    (A) SHERIFF (2)
    (B) CORONER
    (C) COOP EXTENSION (D) JAIL(E) CIRCUIT COURT
  4. OLD BUSINESS: (A)

(B) CONVENTION & VISITOR BUREAU

(B)

(F) SUPERIOR COURT (7)
(G) BURDETTE PARK
(H) HEALTH DEPARTMENT
(I) SURVEYOR’S CORNER PERPETUATION (J) ASSESSOR (late)

  1. NEW BUSINESS:
    (A) RESOLUTION CO.R 12-17-023 SUPPORT OF I-69 CENTRAL CORRIDOR 1(B) PETITION TO APPEAL FOR AN INCREASE TO THE MAXIMUM LEVY (C) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT FOR DEPUTY SHERIFFS (D) DISCUSSION OF 2017 HIRING FREEZE RESOLUTION
    (E) PROPOSED CHANGES TO JOB STUDY PROCESS
  2. AMENDMENTS TO SALARY ORDINANCE:

(A) CLERK
(B) SUPERIOR COURT (3) (C) PUBLIC DEFENDER
(D) HEALTH DEPARTMENT

(E) WIC GRANT
(F) IMMUNIZATION GRANT (G) SAFETY PIN GRANT

  1. PUBLIC COMMENT
  2. REMINDER NEXT MEETING DATE/TIME: January 3, 2018 @ 3:30 P.M.
  3. ADJOURNMENT

NO PERSONNEL AND FINANCE MEETING SCHEDULED

GOP Senate Primary Campaign Heats Up

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TheStatehouseFile.com

 INDIANAPOLIS — Another of the six GOP candidates in the race to replace Sen. Joe Donnelly launched his first campaign ad six months ahead of the primary election, saying he’s “tired of watching Congress do nothing.”

Mike Braun, a former Republican state representative from Jasper, debuted his first commercial Tuesday as part of his push to win the Senate. As the CEO and founder of Meyer Distributing, a nationwide auto parts distribution company, Braun is running from a business perspective.

“I’ve spent my life building a business and creating jobs,” Braun said in a statement. “I am running for U.S. Senate because we need leaders who understand the real consequences of the failure of our federal government and are capable of delivering solutions for Hoosiers on issues like health care and tax reform.”

Braun is seeking to become the GOP front runner who will race to replace Donnelly, a Democrat finishing his first term in the Senate. Donnelly, who is seeking reelection, so far is unopposed in the Democratic primary..

Luke Messer and Todd Rokita — both Republican members of the U.S. House of Representatives — have been more high profile than the other candidates running in the primary.

The other candidates in the race so far are Terry Henderson, a businessman who works at Down AgroSciences; Andrew Takami, director of Purdue Polytechnic New Albany; and Mark Hurt, attorney and former advisor to Sen. Dan Coats. None of those candidates has more than $100,000 on hand.

Braun put $800,000 of his own money into the campaign at the end of September, giving him the opportunity to buy ads to make himself better known. Federal records show he raised an additional $200,000 from other sources, leaving a little more than $1 million in the bank.

“You can be the best candidate in the world but if you don’t have money to introduce yourself to voters or to tell voters why you’re running, you have no way to get to them,” said Nathan Gonzales, editor of Inside Elections. “You need money to communicate your message.”

Because of the $800,000 Braun donated to his campaign, he’s been able to communicate his message to a wider audience. Rokita and Messer, who have been sharply critical of each other, both released ads earlier in the campaign.

Braun’s ad didn’t mention other politicians, but rather explained his background as a businessman and how he wants to “get Washington moving again.”

Rokita’s ad, however, call out other politicians directly. The ad targeted Donnelly by accusing him of being part of the “rigged” system and took subtle digs at Messer.

Like Braun, Messer’s ad doesn’t directly attack other politicians. However, he attacked Rokita in an email blast saying he was “tired of Todd Rokita lying about my family,” which came after Messer relocated his family to Washington, D.C. following his 2012 election.

Meanwhile, Braun is getting outside help. A super PAC, Our Indiana Voice, announced it is forming to support Braun’s candidacy for the Senate, saying currently politicians in Washington, D.C. are not getting work done. The PAC is being run by veteran political operative David Carney.

Carney, a political strategist from New Hampshire, also oversaw a super PAC that spent $1.5 million to help Republican Rep. Trey Hollingsworth win Indiana’s 9th Congressional District in 2016, USA Today reported.

“Mike Braun brings the business sense and outside the beltway thinking that people are looking for,” Carney said in a statement. “It’s time to send someone to the Untied States Senate who will be the voice of the people, not the special interests.”

Yet while Braun pushes to win the GOP seat in the hotly contested Senate race, Donnelly — the incumbent — continues to add more cash to his war chest.

In early October, he reported receiving $1.3 million in donations from July to the end of September — giving him a total of $4.6 million cash on hand.

During the same time period, Messer raised $735,000 giving him a total of $2.4 million, and Rokita raised about $450,000, putting him at about $2.4 million.

Political observers across the country have identified Donnelly as one of the most vulnerable incumbents. Voters elected Donald Trump for president by nearly 19 points and Donnelly is only one of 10 Democrats in the Senate who come from states won by Trump.

EDITOR”S FOOTNOTE: Adrianna Pitrelli is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

This story reflects a correction. The original said there were seven GOP candidates in the race. There are six.

Hurt Knocks Sen. Donnelly’s Tax Bill Vote

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Kokomo, Indiana—Republican U.S. Senate candidate and small businessman Mark Hurt knocked Senator Joe Donnelly today for his no vote on the President’s historic tax reform package.

“Hoosiers were hoodwinked once again by the the affable Senator Joe Donnelly,” Hurt said. “The DNC ran ads this fall saying he went to Washington to work for you. It’s disingenuous at best.”

After publicly entertaining the measure for several months, the first-term Democrat was one of 46 Democrats to vote against the $1.5 trillion tax relief bill. Donnelly is facing a contentious reelection battle in 2018.

“We need a Republican in that United States Senate seat next November,” Hurt said. “I am the one outsider in our primary race who can beat Senator Donnelly and help drain the swamp in Washington.”

FOOTNOTE: Mark Hurt was raised in the Summitville/Fairmount areas and is a graduate of Madison Grant High School.  Mark is also a graduate of Taylor University, Baylor University (Foreign Relations) and Detroit College of Law at Michigan State University who formerly worked as a professional staff person for United States Senator, Dan Coats, Health Care Policy Advisor for Michigan Governor John Engler, and a co-Legislative Director for Congressman Fred Grandy.

EYEWITNESS NEWS WEHT WTVW LOCAL PRESENTS DANCING WITH THE STARS PROS…

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Eyewitness News WEHT WTVV Local Presents:

“The highly anticipated new tour from Maks & Val Chmerkovskiy & this time the family just got bigger”

VICTORY THEATRE – MARCH 20

American Express® Card Members & Ticketmaster Pre-Sale Tickets Available Now. TICKETS GO ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8 AT 10 AM

Evansville, IN – Following a smash hit first tour, Maks and Val, the hottest stars of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars are back with an all new spectacular show and this time the family has grown.

Joining them in their brand new show Confidential, the stunningly talented, Peta Murgatroyd, two time Dancing With The Stars Mirror Ball champion, actress and Mrs Maks Chmerkovskiy.

The trio along with a dazzling cast of the industry’s best dancers are coming to the stage this Spring, performing in 49 cities across America starting March 19 through to May 16, 2018.

‘Maks, Val & Peta Live On Tour: Confidential’ will be a spectacular dance show, driven by a narrative of true family life and love stories. Honest and intimate, the stars will be revealing their closest secrets, hopes and dreams in their own inimitable style. The show will inspire and delight, combining the elegance of the ballroom, some confidential revelations and a true love story.

 

Maksim Chmerkovskiy said; “Our Way was just the beginning of the story. This time I’m a husband, a father, in the best shape of my professional career and still learning on and off the dance floor every day. I’ve had two of the most eventful years of my life and I can’t wait to use my favorite medium to express what’s on my mind and in my heart. Sharing a stage with my wife and my brother, what could be better than that!”

Peta Murgatroyd added; ”Usually I’m acting out a love story through dance. This time there will be no acting, and we have the unique opportunity to perform a genuine love story. I found the power of Our Way to be the relationship between Maks and Val, and this time I hope to cut in on that love story! What have I got myself into!”

Valentin Chmerkovskiy said “Performing on the Our Way stage with my brother and some of the greatest dancers in the world was the highlight of my career so far. This time we have set the bar higher, and given ourselves more time and freedom to create, rehearse and ultimately perform the show that we can honestly say is our very best. No excuses. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoy performing it for you”

‘Maks, Val & Peta Live On Tour: Confidential’ will be created & choreographed by Maksim and Valentin Chmerkovskiy. The tour will be produced by Barnstorm Entertainment.

Tickets are available now through Amex and Ticketmaster pre-sales. General Tickets are on sale Friday, December 8th 2017 at 10am. For up to date information and to purchase tickets go to maksandvaltour.com. VIP packages will be available through ticketmaster.com, giving fans the chance to purchase prime seats and meet and greet’s with the cast.

Artists: Maksim Chmerkovskiy, Valentin Chmerkovskiy & Peta Murgatroyd Tour Name: Maks, Val & Peta Live On Tour: Confidential
Website: www.maksandvaltour.com
Pre-sale: American Express (12/4) Ticketmaster (12/5) Venue (12/5)

On sale: Friday December 8

SENATE TAX BILL

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Gov. Holcomb Makes Appointments to Various Boards & Commissions

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Governor Eric J. Holcomb today announced several new appointments to various state boards and commissions.

ABLE Authority Board

The governor made two new appointments to the ABLE (Achieving Better Life Experience) Board of the Authority:

  • Melissa J. Justice (Noblesville), trust director for the Arc of Indiana, will join the board. Her term expires December 31, 2020.
  • Benjamin S. Trockman (Evansville), diversity and inclusion outreach specialist with Old National Bank, will join the board. His term expires November 30, 2021.

Distressed Unit Appeals Board

The governor appointed Rebecca Kubacki (Syracuse), former member of the Indiana House of Representatives, to join the board. She will serve at the pleasure of the governor.

Judicial Nominating Commission

The governor appointed Michael Daigle (South Bend), executive director of the South Bend International Airport, to join the commission. His term will expire December 31, 2020.

 

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